Eco-Fashion: Passion For Feel-Good Fashion - via Organic Spa

January 25, 2013

Bianca Alexander

The host of Conscious Living TV and producer of the T.H.R.E.A.D.S.
and Vert Couture Eco-Fashion Shows across the country, Bianca Alexander
needs to look good for a wide range of occasions—and
she pulls it off with great personal style and a passion for
eco-fashion. “My work requires a versatile wardrobe that can take me
from yoga mat to TV studio to front row at Fashion Week,” says
Alexander. “But the old rules of fashion no longer apply. Style at the
price of people and the planet is not beautiful.” Here are her
fundamentals of feel-good fashion and some of her favorite things to
wear.

Bianca Alexander’s Eco-Fashion Fundamentals

KNOW YOUR FABRICS
It takes nearly a third of a pound of pesticides to make one
conventionally grown cotton T-shirt. These chemicals harm our planet and
pollute our drinking water. Instead, look for pesticide-free organic
cotton or renewable materials like Sashawashi (seaweed), Tencel, Modal
and animal-loving fabrics like Ahimsa or Peace Silk.

THINK COLOR
Support designers and brands that employ sustainable coloring methods,
like no-impact dyes and all-natural plant- and earth-based dyes. Natural
dyes are not just good for the environment. They’re better for your
body, since our skin absorbs toxins from clothes. Fine imported dyes
preserve traditional artisan dye-making and often support poor rural
communities.

AVOID FAST FASHION
Fast fashion—stocked at most big box and novelty fashion stores—is
manufactured in sweatshops that deny humane working conditions to women
and children laborers in China and other developing countries. Instead,
look for garments manufactured locally in accordance with fair trade
principles, which help preserve the environment and ensure artisans
receive a fair living wage.

ROCK VINTAGE
Freshen up your wardrobe with retro looks that never go out of style.
Vintage clothing keeps trash out of landfills and will keep you looking
like an original.

BE MINDFUL
Before you make an impulse buy, think about where and how that product
was made. Will it fall apart in a few months and eventually end up in a
landfill? Was it made by child laborers? If you don’t know the answer,
you may want to hold out for a more sustainable option. When in doubt,
follow the chain of production. It will always lead back to a set of
values—make sure they match yours.

VOTE WITH YOUR $
Informed choices support artisans who make the garments you wear and
companies doing their part to take care of Mother Earth. Though it might
cost a little more than what you find at a discount chain, it feels
good knowing you are a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.

GLOBAL YOGA
“Prana is a leading eco-activewear brand for yoginis who enjoy intense
colors and structure you can trust in Tree pose or Warrior. Shining
Shakti (shiningshakti.com) and ALO (alosport.com) are also excellent
yoga resources.” Leyla Top in Bougainvillea Ikat, $65; prana.com

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ABOUT ME

Enhance your beauty, style your conscious life. I'm L.A. Designer Stephanie Gale, sharing my passion for mindful sustainable style and beautiful eco conscious living. Join me as I discover all the ways to live well while walking lightly on the earth... and looking great while doing it. All served up with a good dose of organic, fair-trade coffee and dark chocolate.